Crazylegs returns for 25th year

The 2006 Crazylegs Classic on Saturday, April 29, will mark the 25th anniversary of the popular event with a few changes to the event, including a revised route.

Construction on State Street will force runners to go up Wisconsin Avenue and turn left on Langdon Street. Walkers still will use State Street for their route.

In 1981, three loyal Badger supporters came up with the idea of staging a run to raise money for UW Athletics and named it after Athletic Director Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch. The first Crazylegs Run was held in 1982, and a fun walk and wheelchair race were added later.

Anyone who registers by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 21, will have a chance to win a pair of Badger football season tickets. Early entry fees are $25 for runners and wheelchair racers and $20 for walkers. After April 14, the fees will be $35 and $25, respectively.

Fun and Fitness registrations ($30) are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 17.

Participants in this year’s event will receive a commemorative 25th anniversary Crazylegs Classic T-shirt in addition to complimentary refreshments at the post-race party in Camp Randall Stadium, where the UW Marching Band and the LoveMonkeys will entertain.

New this year will be a wave start; the fastest runners will start first, the second fastest runners will go next, and so on. The wave start is being implemented so that runners will be able to enjoy a less crowded, full-stride run from start to finish.

It also will allow runners to do less weaving around slower runners.

The number of participants in the Crazylegs has grown from more than 1,500 in 1982 to a record 13,555 in 2005.

More information, including route maps and a downloadable registration form, can be found at http://www.crazylegsclassic.com/. Registration forms are available on campus at Gate B of the Kohl Center and the Camp Randall Welcome Center.